Last week J.T. Poston made a Sunday run at The Travelers but came up two shots short of winner Xander Schauffele.
Poston, who opened The Travelers with a career low 62 last week, did that again on Thursday and jumped out in front at the John Deere Classic.
Thursday’s 62 was better than last week’s. TPC Deere Run is a par 72 so Poston finished nine-under for the day. His 62 last week was eight-under at TPC River Highlands.
It was a strong day for the one-time Tour winner. He put seven birdies and an eagle on his scorecard and held a three shot lead over Vaughn Taylor.
After his opening 62 last week, Poston let his foot off the gas pedal in the second round and shot an even-par 70. Given the history of low winning scores at the John Deere, he’ll have to avoid that sort of fall-off this week.
His been trending in the right direction and credited swing coach John McNeeley.
“I worked really hard on the golf swing. McNeeley and I have worked on the golf swing a little bit from a technical standpoint in the last year,” Poston said. “I would say for the last few months it’s been in a good spot. Just hadn’t quite seen the results. Then Hilton Head I had a good week, Wells Fargo, good week, last week playing well.
“So I think it’s starting to kind of come together and see the results and see the shots and kind of building that confidence back into my ball striking. Soon as you do it a few times a can have a few good rounds, good tournaments, then your confidence starts building and you can get on a nice run,” Poston added.
He also knows the need to go low this week.
“I think tomorrow, regardless of where I stand starting the day, I am going to try and go out there and shoot another number like that or shoot another solid five, six-under,” he said. “Just stay aggressive and not just kind of coast.”
Denny McCarthy, who has been up on the leaderboards the past month, was one of five players in at five-under par 66.
Ryder Cup captain Zach Johnson shot 69 and was tied for 32nd. Defending champion Lucas Glover had a rough day and his 74 left him in danger of missing the 36-hole cut.
